Fastening device



March 20, 1962 G. E. swANsoN 3,026,133

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1e, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 N O A a y A, M am A /ui 455|! .mm mmn lv WE m a /M w WM A, M F w /f V. B

FIGJl A TTORNEVS March 20, 1962 G. E. swANsoN FASTENING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1959 FIG.

/NVENTOR GUN/VAR E. SWANSO/V By J/m q Ina A TTORNEYS fn S Patented Mar. 20, 1962 3,026,133 FASTENING DEVICE Gunnar E. Swanson, Middletown, Conn., assigner to The Nielsen Hardware Corporation, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 793,367 8 Claims. (Cl. 292-113) The invention relates to a catch unit for use on a packing case or the like having a main body and having a cover upwardly separable from said main body. A strike is provided which is adapted to be tixedly attached to said case co er, and a catch unit is provided which is adapted to be iixedly attached to said case body below the strike. The catch unit is of the type comprising a lever movable about a iixed axis and a link means pivoted to said lever at a movable Mis and connectible with the strike. The relationship of parts is such that said link means when so connected and said lever when in a forward position constiture toggle links movable respectively about the pivotal connection with the strike and about said iixed lever axis so that said movable link means axis has an overcenter action with respect to said fixed lever axis upon movement of the lever to a rearward position.

The general object of the invention is to provide a catch unit of the stated type having a composite link means, one of the `links of which when not in use may be moved to a depending inactive position wherein it is widely spaced from the cover and is closely adjacent the corresponding side of the case, and also having means for releasably holding said link in its said depending inactive position.

More specic objects of the invention are to provide various features and arrangements of parts whereby the general object of the invention is satisfactorily and advantageously attained.

The drawings show two embodiments of the invention and such embodiments will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the constructions disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as detining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a pait of this specication being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a spring-loaded catch embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the catch shown in FIG. l.

PIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 1.

FiG. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the parts of the link means in positions for disengagement.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the second link swung downwardly.

FlG. 7 is a view similar to FlG. 6, but showing the lever in its rearward position and showing the link means in an intermediate position.

FIG. 8 is a View similar to FIG. 7, but showing the link means in its inactive position.

FlG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing an alternative embodiment ofthe invention.

A catch unit embodying the invention is adapted for use on a packing case or the like having a mainr body A and having a cover B upwardly separable from said main body. The catch unit is adapted for use in cooperation with a strike lil I'ixedly attached to said case Ycover B, said strike having a relatively iixed dependent hook portion. The hook portion can be variously formed, `but as shown it has a slot 12 of which the bottom edge constitutes the hook. The catch unit has a base 14 adapted to be iixedly attached to said case body A below said strike 19. As shown, thel body A has an aperture or recess C therein, and the base 14 is shaped so that a portion thereof projects rearwardly into the aperture or recess.

The cover B may be hinged to the case at one side and when it is so hinged, one or more strikes and catch units may be provided at the side opposite the hinge. Alternatively, the cover may be without any hinge connection and it may be held in place solely by a plurality of suitably distributed strikes and catch units.

The catch unit comprises a main lever 16 connected with the base 14 for movement about a horizontal transverse `axis in `xed relationship to the base. The lever 16 is shown as having two parallel side flanges 1S, 18 which project rearwardly when the lever is in its upright position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8. Aligned transverse horizontal pivot pins 20, 20 extend through apertures in the flanges 18, 18 and in ears 22, 22 on a plate 24 secured to the base 14. The lever 16 has an extension 26 which serves as a linger piece for moving the lever and connected parts.

A composite link means is pivotally connected with the lever 16 and is engageable with the strike 10, said link means comprising a normally upright lirst link connected with the lever at a tirst link axis and a second link pivoted at one end to the upper end of the first link at a second link axis and having a hook engageable with the strike when both links are in upright positions.

A spring means is preferably included in one of said links, and when both links are in upright positions .and when the hook of the second link is engaged with the strike said spring means serves to resist any increase in the distance between the rst link axis and the strike engaging hook of the second link.

The spring means is preferably included in the first link. When the spring means is so included, the first link has two relatively movable parts and is telescopic. The lower part or element 3i) of the rst link is provided to said lever 16 for movement about a movable horizontal transverse rst link axis at a pivot pin 28 spaced from said lever axis at 20. The lower element 30 is shown as being ya rectangular tube located between the side ilanges 18, 18 of the lever 16. The pivot pin 28 extends through said anges 1S, 1S and through bearing apertures in the side walls of the element 30. The link clement 3i) is partly closed at the top by a wall 32 which is of such size that two slots are provided adjacent its lateral ends.

The two-part tirst link further comprises a U-shaped upper part or element 34 which has a transverse bottom wall 36 and upright lateral legs 38, 38 which extend through said slots at the ends of the lever top wall 32. Spring means is provided which tends to move the upper link element 34 relatively downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5, downward movement being limited by the pin 28. The spring means is shown as comprising compression springs 40, 49 located within the tubular link element 3G ybetween the top wall 32 of said element 39 and the bottom wall 36 of said element 34.

The before-mentioned second link is designated 42 and it is connected by a transverse horizontal pivot pin 44 with the legs 38, 38 of the link element 34. Said pin 44 provides said second link axis. As shown, the end portion of the link 42 is curled around the pin 44. The link 42 has a portion adapted to eng-age the hook of the strike 1Q. As shown, the last said portion is a hook 46 adapted to enter the slot 12 in the strike and to engage the lower edge of said slot.

FlGS. 1 to 3 show the parts of the catch unit ful-ly engaged to rmly hold the cover B in engagement with the body A. For initially eilecting the engagement, the catch unit parts are in the relative positions shown in FlG. 5, the lever extending forwardly and the hook 46 on the link 42 being entered in the slot 12 of the strike 1G.

By means of the linger piece 26, the lever 16 may be moved connterclockwise from tre FIG. position to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As the lever is so moved, the link 42 is moved downwardly to press the hook 46 against the bottom edge of the slot 12 and thus draw the strike lt) and the cover B downwardly. When the cover and the strike have reached their limit or" downward movement, the springs 40, 4.0 are compressed to permit continued movement of the lever and of the lower element of the telescopic link. As will be apparent from FIG. 2, there is an overcenter action in which the -lever axis at the pin 26 moves rearwardly beyond the axis of the pivot pins 20, 2t?. The position of the lever 16 as shown in iFIGS. l to 3 and 8 is sometimes-hereinafter referred to as its second or downwardly extending position.

When the cover is to be released, the lever 16 is moved clockwise by means of the linger piece 26 so that the parts are restored to the relative positions shown in FG. 5. Then the link 42 may be swung forwardly and the lever 16 may ybe swung downwardly to approximately the positions shown in FIG. 6.

`"Jhen the catch unit is not to be immediately used, the lever 16 may be swung rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 8, and the link 42 may be swung rearwardly to the position shown in FlG. S. The last said position of the linklZ is sometimes hereinafter referred to as its inactive depending position. `When the parts are in the inactive FIG. 8 positions, they are widely spaced from the cover B and they are closely adjacent the corresponding side of the case A. They project to a minimum extent.

Unless special means were provided to prevent it, the lever 16 and the link 42 would be freely movable out of the `positions shown in FIG. 8. They might moveto the positions shown in FIG. 6 or even to the positions shown in FIG. 5. Such movement might be very objectionable if the packing case A were to be handled separately from its cover B, perhaps being supported on one of its sides or perhaps being inverted. Means is therefore provided which is operable with the second link in its said inactive depending position for releasably holding said link in said position. The link 42 is preferably held in xed relationship to the lever 16. The holding of the link in iixed relationship with the lever not only prevents free movement of the link, but also prevents free movement of the lever. 'The lever can move to a small extent, but only until the upper curled position of the link engages the adjacent upper portion of the base 14. This will be apparent from FIG. 8. Said curled portion or" the link and said upper portion of the base constitute means for limiting pivotal movement of the lever lo.

Y ln the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l to 8, the meansgfor releasably holding the link 42 includes a retaining or holding element 48 which may be an integral tab bent from the main body of the link. The element or tab 48 is so shaped and positioned that, upon rearward movement of said link 42, said tab engages the top wall 32 of the link element 30 and moves or cams Ysaid link 42and the connected link element 34 upwardly in opposition to the springs 40. The springs apply downward pressure which frictionally resists forward movement of the tab 48 and of the link. iFIG. 8 shows the link 42 with the tab 48 fully engaged with the wall 32 and Ywith the springs 49 slightly compressed. Thus the link 42 is releasably held in place by the frictional resistance to the movement of the tab 48 relatively to the wall 32. The

top wall 32 constitutes an element which is maintained by the spring means in holding relationship with said se"- ond link 42. Y

. videdwith a finger piece 52 which is similar to the tin-ger piece 26 except that it is provided with means for releasably holding the rst link. As shown, an aperture 54 is provided which is of such size and is so related to the link 59 that the hook portion 46 of said link is partly entered in said aperture when the link is in its inactive depending position, as shown in FIG. 9. In moving to the FIG. 9 position, the link 5@ and the upper element 34 of the telescopic link have been cammed upwardly in opposition to the springs 40. 'When the hook 46 came into register with the aperture 54, the springs forced the link Si? downwardly to the position shown. It will be evident that the link Sil is releasably held in fixed relationship with the link. The shoulder at the front of the aperture 54 constitutes an element which is maintained by the spring means in holding relationship with said second link 42.

The invention claimed is:

l. In a catch unit for use on a packing case or the like having a body and having a cover which is upwardly separable from said body and is provided with an attached strike, the combination of a base adapted to be iixedly attached to said body below the top thereof, a lever connected with the base for movement about a lixed horizontal axis which lever is movable to a forwardly extending position or to a downwardly extending position, a normal-ly upright iirst link connected to said lever for relative movement about Va movable horizontal first link axis spaced from said lever axis, a second link having a strike engageable hook at one end and pivotally connected at the opposite end with the upper end of said lirst link for movement about a horizontal second link axis spaced from said lirst link axis which second link is movable to an upright position wherein it is engageable with a strike such as aforesaid or to an inactive depending position wherein it is at the front of said irst link and of said lever, said lirst and second links and said lever being so related that with the lever extending forwardly the second link is freely movable to or from its upright strike engaging position and being further so related that with said second link engaged with the strike downward and rearward pivotal movement of theV lever serves to effect an over-center action of the iirst link axis with respect to the lever axis as the result of which action downward pressure is applied to the strike and the lever is releasably held in its rearmost downwardly extending position, and means operable with the second link in its said inactive depending position for releasably holding it in said position.

2. A catch unit as set forth in claim l, wherein the means for releasably holding the second link is constructed and arranged to hold said link in iixed relation to the lever.

3. A catch unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein means is provided for limiting pivotal movement of the lever relatively to the base when said link andlever are in their said fixed relationship.

4. In a catch unit for use on a packing case or the like having a body and having a cover which is upwardly separable from said body and is provided with a strike xedly attached thereto, the combination of a base adapted to be lixedly attached to said body below the top thereof, a lever connected with the base for movement about a fixed horizontal axis which lever is movable to a forwardly extending position or to a downwardly extending position, a normally upright firstlink connected to said lever for relative movement about a movable horizontal iirst link axis spaced from said lever axis. a second link having a strike engageable hook at one end and pivotally connected at lthe opposite end with the upper end of said' tirst link for movement about a horizontal second link axis spaced from said tirst link axis which second link is movable to an upright position wherein it is engageable with la strike such as aforesaid or to an inactive depending position wherein it is at the front of said first link and of said lever, spring means included in one of said links and serving when both links are in upright positions to resist any increase in the distance between the rst link axis and said hook of the second link, said iirst and second links and said lever being so related that with the lever extending forwardly the second link is freely movable to or from its upright strike engaging position and being further so related that with said second link engaged with the strike downward and rearward pivotal movement of the lever serves to move both links downwardly and to cause said spring means to apply downward pressure to the strike and said pivotal movement of the lever further serving to eiect an overcenter action of the iirst link axis with respect to the lever axis as the result of which action the spring means maintains said downward pressure on the strike and also tends to hold the lever in its rearmost downwardly extending position, and means for releasably holding said second link in its said inactive depending position and in fixed relation to said lever.

5. A catch unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein the means for releasably holding the second link includes an element which is maintained by said spring means in holding relationship with said link.

6. In a catch unit for use on a packing case or the like having a body and having a cover which is upwardly separable from said body and is provided with a strike iixedly attached thereto, the combination of a base adapted to be fixedly attached to said body below the top thereof, a lever connected with the base for movement about a xed horizontal axis which lever is movable to a forwardly extending position or to a downwardly extending position, a normally upright two-part telescopic rst link having relatively movable lower and upper elements and having compressible spring means tending to move the upper element relatively downwardly, means connecting said lower link element to said lever for movement relatively thereto about a movable horizontal iirst link axis spaced from said lever axis, a second link having a strike engageable hook at one end and pivotally connected at the opposite end with said upper link ele- 4 ment of the iirst link for movement about a horizontal second link axis which second link is movable to an upright position wherein it is engageable with a strike such as aforesaid or to an inactive depending position wherein it is at the front of said telescopic rst link and of said lever, said iirst and second links and said lever being so related that with the lever extending forwardly the second link is freely movable to or from its upright strike engaging position and being further so related that with said second link engaged with the strike downward and rearward pivotal movement of the lever serves to move both links downwardly to cause said spring means to apply downward pressure lto the strike and said pivotal movement of the lever further serving to effect an overcenter action of the first link axis with respect to the lever axis as the result of which action the spring means maintains said downward pressure on the strike and also tends to hold the lever in its rearrnost downwardly extending position, and means dependent upon the action of said spring means for releasably holding said second link in its said inactive depending position and in fixed relation to said lever.

7. A 4catch unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein the means for releasably holding said second link includes a top wall on the lower element of said rst link and further includes an element on said second link positioned to engage said top wall and to move said lirst link and the upper element of said second link upwardly in opposition to said spring means when said second link is moved to its said inactive depending position.

8. A catch unit as set forth in claim 6, wherein the means for releasably holding said second link includes means on said lever engageable by said second link for moving the last said link and the lower element of said iirst link upwardly in opposition to said spring means when said second link is moved to its said inactive depending position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,123 Claud-Mantle July 29, 1952 2,635,910 Celeste Apr. 21, 1953 2,751,240 Claud-Mantle June 19, 1956 

